Many teddy bears in Ho Chi Minh City are stuffed with garment waste, discharged mattress, and old spongy materials, which doctors blamed as a major cause of respiratory diseases in children.

The products target workers and low-income earners, while retailers said cotton wool costs more and they wouldn't be able to make a profit, the Tuoi Tre weekly recently reported.

Hoc, a street vendor in the city, said he bought a cuddly worm from a supplier at VND40,000 (US$1.92) but he can resell it to customers at a price five times higher.

Another street vendor named Nam in front of Tan Tao Industrial Zone in Binh Tan District offers a cuddly dolphin at VND30,000, saying that it can be used as a pillow for many years without being broken.

But he also said as the price is cheap, and customers should not demand high quality for the stuffing.